La Closerie 2018

The colour is deep purple. On the nose ripe blueberries, blackberries, plumbs, licorice, pepper. In the mouth not very balanced. Soft at the beginning and edgy at the end. The aftertaste is medium long, but unpleasantly dry and bitter.

This wine is made with Syrah and Grenache grapes by Château Lavabre under the Pic Saint-Loup AOP. Continue reading “La Closerie 2018”

Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series 2020

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose black cherries, blackberries and green bell peppers. In the mouth drying tannins, with an astringent finish. The aftertaste is short.

This Cabernet Sauvignon based Canadian wine is made by No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery. Continue reading “Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series 2020”

Sauvignon Blanc Founders Series 2021

The colour is pale yellow. On the nose lime and honeydew. In the mouth refreshing. The aftertaste is short.

Unlike for reds, for white wines Canada has its own grape variety, although created in 1953 as a hybrid crossing of Cascade and Seyve-Villard: L’Acadie Blanc. Unsurprisingly, it is an exceptionally winter hardy, early ripening variety. Continue reading “Sauvignon Blanc Founders Series 2021”

Inniskillin Merlot Reserve 2020

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose black cherries, plumbs and black tea. In the mouth not very structured, with a bitter finish. The aftertaste is short.

This Merlot based wine is made by Inniskillin, Canada’s first estate winery. Although established only in 1975, it is the oldest continuously operating winery in Canada. Continue reading “Inniskillin Merlot Reserve 2020”

Nerello 2015

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose very mature, jammy fruits. In the mouth smooth with a medium body. The aftertaste is medium long.

This Nerello Calabrese varietal wine is made by Senatore Vini in Cirò.

Nerello Calabrese is the name given on the Calabrian side of the Messina strait to Nerello Mascalese, a highly regarded, dark-skinned grape variety that grows most commonly on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Continue reading “Nerello 2015”

Cirò Tenuta Iuzzolini 2021

The colour is medium ruby. On the nose tea and sour cherries. In the mouth light but smooth. The aftertaste is short.

This wine is made mainly with Gaglioppo grapes, under the denomination Cirò DOC of Calabria.

The origins of Gaglioppo are unclear. The traditional theory is that the variety arrived with Aglianico at the time of the ancient Greeks occupation of southern Italy (Magna Grecia). Continue reading “Cirò Tenuta Iuzzolini 2021”

Benvenuto Orange 2022

The colour is pale copper. On the nose candied orange peel, peach, apricot. In the mouth light. The aftertaste is short.

This orange wine is made with 100% Zibibbo grapes macerated for over 40 days. Only 500 bottles a year are produced.

Zibibbo’s “scientific” name is Muscat of Alexandria. As the name itself suggests, a grape variety that was already cultivated in ancient Egypt. Continue reading “Benvenuto Orange 2022”

Terra 2022

The colour is deep purple. On the nose cherries, blackberries and cinnamon. In the mouth light but pleasantly fruity. The aftertaste is short.

This red wine is made by Cantine Benvenuto under the Calabria Rosso IGP, which covers the entire region of Calabria.

Wines under this far-reaching wine denomination can by made with any proportions of red grape varieties approved for the region of Calabria. In this case, 60% Greco Nero and 40% Magliocco grapes. Continue reading “Terra 2022”